Adriaan Strauss will captain the Bulls on their three-match Super Rugby overseas tour.

Strauss takes over the role from flyhalf Handré Pollard, who has struggled to find form in the first month of the competition since his return from a lengthy injury layoff.

Strauss, who recently recovered from back surgery, came off the bench in the 48th minute of Friday night’s 34-21 win against the Sunwolves at Loftus.

The Bulls, who have only one win from three matches, will play the Blues in Auckland, the Chiefs in Hamilton and the Sunwolves in Tokyo.

‘It is going to be a massive challenge for us,’ said coach Nollis Marais. ‘The Blues are one of the most destructive teams around and the Chiefs are the form team in the competition in recent years. To then travel to Japan to face the Sunwolves will also test our resolve. We realise the importance of good results on this trip, so will be keen to make the most of it.’

Bulls’ 27-man touring squad:

Props: Pierre Schoeman, Trevor Nyakane, Lizo Gqoboka, Jacobie Adriaanse, John-Roy Jenkinson. Standby: Martin Dreyer, Andrew Beerwinkel.
Hookers: Adriaan Strauss, Jaco Visagie, Edgar Marutlulle
Locks: RG Snyman, Jason Jenkins, Lood de Jager
Loose forwards: Ruan Steenkamp, Renaldo Bothma (pending citing), Hanro Liebenberg, Jannes Kirsten, Nic de Jager. Standby: Jacques Potgieter, Arno Botha
Scrumhalves: Rudi Paige, Piet van Zyl. Standby: Ivan van Zyl
Flyhalves: Handré Pollard, Tian Schoeman. Standby: Francois Brummer.
Centres: Dries Swanepoel, Burger Odendaal, Jan Serfontein. Standby: Johnny Kotze
Back three: Jamba Ulengo, Travis Ismaiel, Warrick Gelant, Jesse Kriel. Standby: Jade Stighling

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Photo: Johan Rynners/Gallo Images